Apex Roof Cleaning got the call to remove black streaks, algae, mold and lichen from 57 Mountain Rd, Mountain Top, PA 18707. During the roof inspection we noticed, that some of the moss was cracking the shingles.
Serving the Pocono and Lehigh Valley(Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton, Monroe, Pike and Wayne Counties), PA community as well as both Warren and Sussex Counties of New Jersey
great job roof cleaning in Mountain Top, PA ... did you rinse after you washed those shingles or did you take your after shot at a later date? looks great!
I thought it was a great oppurtunity for a picture. Not only do we tell HO that moss is damaging their roof, now we have some real proof.
This Job was rinsed and photo was taken 8hrs later. I am still not a believer that moss trapped under a shingle will come free from weathering.
I only rinse moss, I don't rinse lichen because of granule loss, and I don't rinse algae because it isn't necessary. I know must of you guys will say leave the moss up there, but personally I cleaned a roof in october and everyday I look at it I see white moss fuzz balls still on the roof (pinned under overlapping shingles). The only thing that might happen is the hot sun in the summer may help it decay. I would love to hear what you other moss guys have to say. \
I left this for Dan as a PM, but thought others could possibly benefit from it as well:
Yea Dan,..moss is a pain. Since we as roof cleaners, like to see instant results,..moss and lichen poses a problem. Sometimes moss will roll right off and leave no missing granules. But the moss and lichen that is VERY attached to the shingles is where the issues begin. I hear what you're saying about it staying behind for months. Heat and direct sunlight will help the flaking away happen faster,..maybe you could go back with a stiff brush on an extension pole and see if you can crumble some away by simply dragging the brush over it. If you're using a good mix, there won't be any issues with killing it.
Unfortunately there isn't always an easy way around a moss issue.
(1) First and foremost I let the customer know that if should have been taken care of at the first sight of growth and instant results are now going to be less likely. Never over promise on moss and lichen.
(2) Next I tell them I can at least kill the existing moss and stop new growth for a while.
(3) Then I tell them what rinses away easily will be all that can be removed without causing possible damage. The rest will just have to be left to degrade on its own and could take months. And yea, under dormers is a pain and I will try and remove as much as I can without doing damage. But I don't want to be picking at it and pulling granules off with the moss, leaving black spots where the moss used to be. Because once the granules are gone that is permanent damage. I'm not interested in a customer telling me I ruined the integrity if their roof.
(4) If a customer doesn't understand what I explain to them about moss and lichen, I would just let the job go. Fortunately, I have yet to have to walk away,... When explained properly, most people understand the issues at hand,.. and when you explain it properly you keep yourself out of trouble with the home owner.
(5) I hate moss and lichen,.. and I hope I never get another call for it,Ha,Ha,...funny though I have one to do this week.
Great post Jeff. Really appreciate the help. I follow 1-5 the same way. I actually let a moss job go yesterday, because the woman was selling and wanted the instant results. And about number 5. I HATE Moss and lichen, but that is the nature of the beast in PA.
Serving the Pocono and Lehigh Valley(Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton, Monroe, Pike and Wayne Counties), PA community as well as both Warren and Sussex Counties of New Jersey